RapperYoung Thughit the stage in Atlanta on Wednesday night for his long-awaitedreturn to performingin his home city. But the artist had a surprise up his sleeve.
Partway through theAtlanta local's"Hometown Hero" performance, he was joined by girlfriend Mariah the Scientiston stagebefore dropping down to one knee.
"Will you marry me?" flashed brightly on the screen behind him and cheers erupted from the crowd, videos show.
"Guess I'm getting married," Mariah the Scientist says into the microphone.
The couple, whose real names are Jeffery Williams and Mariah Buckles, have had a publicon-and-off relationshipsince 2021.
The "Hometown Hero" show, labeled abenefit concert, was put on to feature the Grammy-award winning rapper's fourth solo album, UY Scuti, released earlier this year.
Relationship rattled by leaked jail calls
In May 2022, Young Thug and 27 others werearrested in Georgiaand accused of violating the Racketeer Influences and Corrupt Organizations Act, or a RICO case.
A 56-count indictment brought by Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis accused Williams of being the leader of Young Stoner Life, a group with a history of violent street crime and other offenses.
Young Thug eventuallypled guiltyin 2024, and was sentenced to time served and probation. The sentencing included a period of 10 years where the rapper can't return to Atlanta except for important events or to provide anti-gang and anti-violence presentations a few times a year.
During his time in custody and after he was released, leaked phone calls Williams made in jail suggested he had cheated on Mariah the Scientist shortly before his arrest and had been calling a group of other women while incarcerated.
Break-up rumors put to rest
In September, Young Thugposted on Xthat he was "wrong" and "sorry for what I put u through," seeming to apologize to Buckles for cheating.
"Thank you for everything and I will do anything to make this work. U showed me what love is and I hope I haven't lost u forever…" he said in the post.
In a second post, Williams said "chapter ended" with a heart emoji. A few days later heposted"AI jail calls is crazy," with a laughing emoji.
Now, three months later, Mariah The Scientist was just one of the guests at the "Hometown Hero" concert, and as she finished a song, Young Thug walked up behind her with ring in hand.
Irene Wright is the Atlanta Connect reporter with USA Today's Deep South Connect team. Find her on X @IreneEWright or email her at ismith@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Rapper Young Thug proposes on stage during Atlanta benefit concert